Getting over myself and my plans

I haven't written a post since Monday because I have been working quite busily on the NGO (non-governmental organization) application. This trip has been very different from my past trips since I have been stuck mostly on my computer each day, typing up documents to present to the government about why Global Capacity fits into the visions and strategic plans of the government. It meant a lot of reading and understanding the five and ten year plans and what benefit we could do for the country. It seemed like a no-brainer right...many children cannot afford school fees in Rwanda so we are going to provide them. Period. Why would the government not give us the NGO status, and thus give us the freedom to advertise and promote our services here? As I found out today, it is not so easy.

One of my main purposes for coming here was to submit the NGO status. Although it can be a six month long process, I at least wanted to submit it and introduce myself. And especially after having spent the past three days working on it, I especially wanted to turn it in. I saw my plans change today. What I thought was a carefully planned and written document (about 40 pages total) turned to be need many changes. Turns out that working with the government of Rwanda can take a long time, just like with any government. And in turns out that it is very particular and detailed with how it wants things done. I found today that we might not be as prepared on the Rwanda side of things as I thought. I also learned that we can continue to support students and distribute money without the NGO status, which I hadn't known.

I am currently in the process of praying through and deciding if I want to continue with submitting the application or if I want to wait until Global Capacity is further solidified and we understand our work here better. It is still fairly new.

After we left the Ministry of Immigration we went to umududgu Wa'kindege (village of Akindege) to meet with A Voice For Rwanda. I was so frustrated and needed to talk it out with other Americans who have dealt with the NGO process successfully. It was an amazing meeting! We talked all about the village and the people and the students. We talked about what Global Capacity's work would look like without the NGO status and with.

After that we visited one of the students we are sponsoring at his secondary school. He looked very happy and thankful to be there, and he is doing very well in his classes. It was a sweet reminder of why we are putting in the work and efforts here. Education changes lives and improves communities. No matter how much hassle it may be or money it may cost, one thing is certain...the work we are doing here makes a difference. And I am willing to put in the discomfort and the uncertainty for that to occur.

All this to say that earlier today I had to get over myself and my plans. So what if I don't submit the NGO application now, and instead wait for developments to happen. So what if I change my purpose of this trip and spend most of the remainder of it with the village we will be sponsoring students from? Sometimes God has something different in store, and I am learning to be obedient to that and work with Him instead of fight Him for it.